YUM! MMMM! QUE RICO! AMERICAS’ SPROUTINGS written by Pat Mora and illustrated by Rafael Lopez

Review by Christi De Leon

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Mora, Pat. Yum! Mmmm! Que Rico! Americas’ Sproutings. Ill. by Rafael Lopez. New York: Lee & Low Books, 2007. ISBN 1584302712

PLOT SUMMARY

This collection of fourteen haiku poems is written about various foods grown in the Americas. Foods included are blueberries, chile peppers, chocolate, corn, cranberry, papaya, peanuts, pecans, pineapples, potatoes, prickly pear cactus, pumpkin, tomatoes, and vanilla.  A description of each food’s origin is provided alongside each haiku.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This book wonderfully celebrates foods that have been grown in America for a very long time. Another food is described at the turn of every page in an original way. The use of haikus allows for seamless transitions from one food to another. The selection of words for the haikus are engaging, including words from the Spanish language occasionally. The descriptive words and pictures in this book might lead to the anticipation of lunchtime! Children seem to love books about food, and this one in particular is both fun to read, yet very educational. It can appeal to children across many grade levels. Its haikus and illustrations will grasp the attention of younger students. Older students will also enjoy learning more from the additional details provided.

The illustrations, consisting of acrylic double-page paintings on wood panels, are colorful and lively. Even some of the foods are shown celebrating, too! By looking beyond the food, however, this book seems unifying in nature. The illustrations in particular truly capture the idea that food brings people together. A variety of cultural backgrounds are represented by the people in the story as they collectively enjoy each other’s company along with the yummy foods. The various cultures and the surroundings appear to be authentically represented in the illustrations. The last page in the book provides a fun rhyme along with an interesting description written by Pat Mora of what inspired her to write a book about foods first sprouted in the Americas.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List 2008-2009

From Booklist: "This inventive stew of food haiku celebrates the indigenous foods of the Americas."

From School Library Journal: "Teachers will find this a welcome addition to their social-studies units, but it should also win a broad general audience for its inventive, fun-filled approach to an ever-popular topic: food." 

CONNECTIONS

Gather other books by Pat Mora such as:

Tomas and the Library Lady. Ill. by Raul Colon. ISBN 0375803491

Pablo’s Tree. Ill. by Cecily Lang. ISBN 0027674010

Gather other Texas Bluebonnet Award winning books such as:

Durango, Julia. Ill. by Fabricio VandenBroeck. Under the Mambo Moon. ISBN 157091723X

Possible activities:

Celebrate by bringing foods from this book for students to enjoy.

 Allow students to choose their favorite food and write a haiku.